Leinster squad to face Glasgow Warriors

Felipe Contepomi is named in a 31-man panel and needs just two points (59) to become the highest scorer in this year's Magners League campaign. Contepomi is joined in the backs by Chris Whitaker, Shane Horgan, Jonathan Sexton, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald who all impressed during last weekend's 41-11 victory over London Wasps.

Promising backs Felix Jones, Fergus McFadden and Eoin O'Malley are all named in the initial panel which is expected to be trimmed down to a starting line-up on Thursday lunchtime. Brian O'Driscoll (knee) and captain Leo Cullen (collarbone) miss out through injury.

Cameron Jowitt, Kevin McLaughlin, Stephen Knoop, Ronan McCormack and Sean O'Brien boost the forward options and are named in the squad alongside the likes of CJ van der Linde, Rocky Elsom, Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O'Kelly, Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip for the visit to the home of Partick Thistle FC.

Speaking ahead of Friday night's game in Firhill, Leinster Coach MICHAEL CHEIKA said that despite their last two victories in Europe, the team are focused on improving their recent Magners League form.

"It's important that we always try to play our best, but particularly at this time of year and that's maybe something that we haven't done as well in the past. We will really need to be on-song if we're going to win our next game.

"We have two massive games in the Magners League before we play Castres in December back-to-back so it's vital that we pick up points, starting this Friday.

"All in all we're happy enough with how things are going, but there are some bumps and bruises to contend with.

"We have picked up a few injuries from the Wasps game so I'd say that there'll be squad rotation for this match. They (Glasgow) played well against Toulouse last weekend and they're going to be focused on the domestic competition after losing a few games in Europe.

"We need to win to claw our way back into contention and it's going to take a squad effort. So we're going to have to work hard this week.

"Dan Parks is a great player and he controls the game very well. Thom Evans and his brother Max have pace to burn, but they're also quality players. It's not just a case of them being fast.

"Lome Fa'atau is an exciting player and they have great strength throughout their pack in Alastair Kellock and I think they're a very under-rated side. They finished even higher up the table than a lot of people imagined, and I'd estimate that they'll focus on finishing even higher this year.

"We lost in the last minute up there last year and we know that it's going to be a big game for us. We're going to put everything into context, understand exactly where we are at this stage of the season and push on and improve."

LEINSTER SQUAD TO FACE GLASGOW WARRIORS:

Forwards (18): Cian Healy, Ronan McCormack, Stan Wright, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Knoop, CJ van der Linde, Trevor Hogan, Cameron Jowitt, Malcolm O'Kelly, Devin Toner, Rocky Elsom, Stephen Keogh, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Kevin McLaughlin

Backs (13): Chris Keane, Chris Whitaker, Jonathan Sexton, Simon Keogh, Fergus McFadden, Felipe Contepomi, Luke Fitzgerald, Eoin O'Malley, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Felix Jones, Girvan Dempsey, Rob Kearney